Experiential Learning

About the EXACT plan

Quality Enhancement Plan: EXACT Plan

The experiential learning and critical thinking (EXACT) plan – GGC’s quality enhancement plan (QEP) – benefits GGC students by providing access to experiential learning experiences and enhanced development of foundational critical thinking skills. Unique to GGC, the EXACT plan applies across all degree programs and all curriculum levels (1000- to 4000-level courses).

Experiential learning experiences and critical thinking skills represent value to employers and a career advantage for employees and employment applicants.

EXACT courses engage students in experiential learning through the following activity stages.

Experience: have experiences.
Reflection: review and reflect on experiences.
Abstract conceptualization: analyze what you’ve learned and how it can be applied.
Experimentation: try out what you’ve learned.

A critical element of experiential learning is the use of reflection. Through reflection, students examine their experiences, thoughts and actions, leading to a deeper comprehension of concepts beyond mere memorization. Students uncover insights and connections that promote enhanced understanding and critical thinking skills through the following reflection steps.

Describe the activity.
Examine and explain what course concepts apply to the activity.
Articulate what's learned from the activity and how it can be used in future courses or careers.

The EXACT Plan develops four critical thinking skills throughout your experiential learning experiences. The following skill development enhances a student’s ability to think through situations, information and problems in meaningful and productive ways.

Evaluation and interpretation of information
Problem solving
Effective communications
Analysis of alternative assumptions and conditions

Learn About EXACT Participation

EXACT Plan Participation

At each course level – from Core IMPACT classes to senior level capstone classes – coursework and time are dedicated to EXACT experiential learning activities.

During these activities, students engage in critical thinking development and reflection assignments, each building on skills gained from the previous year.

	000-level Courses	2000-level Courses	3000-level Courses	4000-level Courses
Activities	Laboratory assignments, role playing, field trips, volunteer experiences	Advanced laboratory assignments, professional shadowing, community mentorship, classroom simulations	Field practicums, service learning, peer tutoring	Field practicums, service learning, peer tutoring, peer mentoring, independent research, internships
Course schedule time	1-2 class periods	2-4 class periods	6-14 class periods	14-24 class periods
Percentage of course grade	Less than 5%	5-15%	15-25%	25-50%
Critical thinking skill focus	Evaluation and interpretation of information	Problem solving	Effective communications	Analysis of alternative assumptions and conditions

EXACT participation extends beyond the classroom with opportunities on campus and in the surrounding community. Or become an EXACT scholar to enjoy additional benefits.

EXACT Plan Advisory Board: Contact your SGA president to serve as the representative for your school.
Service learning: View GGC Serves opportunities or email StudentAffairs [at] ggc.edu for more information.
EXACT scholar: Achieve an EXACT scholar designation with yearly recognition and transcript notation upon graduation.

EXACT Scholars Program

EXACT scholars complete additional experiential learning activities and reflections, specifically demonstrating how these activities facilitate and improve their critical thinking skillsets.

GGC annually recognizes EXACT scholars, and scholars graduate with a notation on their transcripts and a completed ePortfolio to aid their career searches.

Determine your earned credits to learn more about EXACT scholar requirements as a participant, practitioner and professional. Email ExperientialLearning [at] ggc.edu (ExperientialLearning[at]ggc[dot]edu) with questions or to discuss how you can become an EXACT scholar.

	Participant	Practitioner	Professional
Credits required	15-60 credits	61-90 credits	91 or more credits
Mastering Career Readiness course	Module 1: Explore Module 2: Prepare	Module 3: Apply Module 4: Connect	Module 5: Achieve
EXACT courses	1000 level 2000 level	Two 3000 level	Two 3000 level or 4000 level
Reflection essay question	How will the experiential learning activities and corresponding critical thinking skillsets assist you in the next two years of your academic career?	How will the experiential learning activities and corresponding critical thinking skillsets assist you toward graduation?	How will the experiential learning activities and corresponding critical thinking skillsets assist you toward your career goals?